Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-31
She Receives Gracious Treatment at the
Hands of the Critics.

Record UHi0n's Special CdbleqraB,- CopyriOllted
by the Ne0 York TrtbuRel
LONDON, March 30th.-After reading this
mornings accounts of Mrs. Potter's debut
l think in telegraphing last night did not
understand the favorable impression she
made on the critics and public. Her faults
are set forth in the London papers with an
unsparing and sometimes unfriendly
frankness, though with much diversity of
opinion as to what were faults and what
were not. But it is the point of view from
which all these estimates start that is so
striking. No actress of established fame
could be discussed more seriously or more
entirely as an actress ar artist. Clement
Scott, in the Telegraph, for example, criticises
her oyeracting, her excessive gesticulation,
her want of restraint, of repose, and of
finish but he discovers in her marked in
relligence, and that emotional power which,
says Scott, is the one thing the English
stage so sorely needs. "In her acting"
continues he, rough and unpublished as it
was, there was power. In her earnestness
there was the best Of natures gifts, the
gem of true emotion" There is, in his
opinion, the stuff in her of which the best
actresses are made, but during much
of the play she seemed unframed.
Her triumph was won, he thinks, in
the last act. Then her frenzy was
toned down, and there were moments
of dignity and of delightful calm Her
declaration of Anne's innocence was noble,
womanlike and touching. There was the
true ring of emotion in her voice when
Anne yields up her miserable life on the
altar of friendship; and her final determi
nation to cling to the dying man was full
of truth and fealty. After this last act no
one could reasonably doubt her capacity
for the tragic, or, if that cannot be, for an
emotional actress. And, though much
will have to be learned and studied and
practiced, her intelligence overrode the
gravest fault of execution
Clement Scott is one of the first of Eng
lish critics, aud his study of Mrs. Potter is
the most elaborate. All the other critics
write in similar tone.
The Times says: Mrs. Potter suffers not
so much from want of talent as from an
excess of energy. She has learned every
thing except repose." This writer regrets
the choice of the play, which, as tele-
graphed you long since, was not hers at all,
and declares that the character of Anne is
pitched throughout in doleful key, which
would test the resources of the most expe-
rienced actress.
The Morning Post notices the charm in
her manner, and pronounces her obviously
the possessor of distinct dramatic endow-
ments.
" In the more serious parts genuine and
strong dramatic power was exhibited. y
This is from Joseph Kinglett, who ranks
among the soundest judges on the press, OF
anywhere else.
The Daily Netcs was struck by the evi-
dences of hostility in the house out of pro-
fessional resentment against fresh compeli-
ton. The little knot of nalcontents, y
says Mr.. Thomas, the excellent critic for
that journal, exhibited premature eager
ness in uttering their ftful expressions OF
dissatisfaction. A curious proof exists OF
this. Cabal Hodson, porter of the Amer
lean Legation, was present in the gallery.
When the applause was first heard COM
pact band of about twenty began kissing.
The porter turned to the crowd and said
" Don't you see these men are paid? VIII
you allow them to hiss ?" and they were
stopped. Thomas expresses his admiration
of Mrs. Potter's great capabilities, fine stage
presence and voice. He dIslikes her over
elaboration, however
ALI critics agree in thinking the actress
heavily handicapped by the play and by
her cwn part, but none seem to doubt that
brilliant future lies before her. presume
a new play will be put in rehearsal at once.
The absence Of the Princess of Wales last
night was due TO melancholy on account of
the illness of her sister, Princess Thyra.
She wrote to MIS-. Potter, expressing great
regret that she was not able to appear there